No dawdling about for Leinster final

GAELIC GAMES:THE LEINSTER football final, rescheduled from this weekend because of the weather, will go ahead tomorrow week despite the request of Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes that it be further postponed.

Their opponents Rhode from Offaly told the provincial council yesterday they wanted to play the match on the earlier date.

Leinster CEO Michael Delaney said: “We had a request from Kilmacud Crokes to put off the football final until after Christmas to allow their Dublin panellists travel on the county team’s holiday to Dubai but Rhode have indicated that they want the game fixed for next Sunday, 12th December. So that’s when it will have to be scheduled.”

Earlier this week Michael Nolan, manager of one of the hurling finalists O’Loughlin Gaels from Kilkenny, expressed a preference for postponing their final until the new year.

Opponents Oulart-The-Ballagh from Wexford are believed, however, to have indicated, like Rhode, a desire to play the match tomorrow week if possible.

Delaney said there was little appetite to play the finals in a fortnight, just days before Christmas but that he was hopeful weather would permit the matches to be played next week.

Ulster however have reservations about a revised schedule. “We have a problem with that because our intermediate and junior football champions are due to play All-Ireland quarter-finals against teams from Britain in January,” said Ulster secretary Danny Murphy. “If the pitches are playable I think that’s preferable to having all of the teams hanging around until January.”

In Munster, provincial pro Jim Forbes said if next weekend is postponed the football final between Nemo Rangers and Dr Crokes would in all likelihood not be played before Christmas.

Last night’s GAA Management Committee meeting and this afternoon’s Central Council meeting have both also been postponed because of the weather. A decision on a new date will be taken on Monday.

Saturday, December 11th

Ulster Club IFC final: Lisnaskea (Fermanagh) v Doohamlet (Monaghan), 2pm.

Sunday, December 12th

Munster Club SFC final: Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Gaelic Grounds, 2pm.

Ulster Club JFC final: Corduff (Monaghan) v Swanlinbar (Cavan), Clones, noon.

Ulster Club SFC final: Crossmaglen (Armagh) v Naomh Conall (Donegal), Clones, 1.45pm.

Also Postponed

(Re-fixtures to be confirmed on Monday)

Leinster Club SHC final: Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford) v O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny).

Leinster Club SFC final: Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Rhode (Offaly).

Leinster Club JHC final: Drumcullen (Offaly) v John Lockes (Kilkenny).

Leinster Special Club JH final: Wolfe Tones (Meath) v Fingallians (Dublin).

Leinster Club IFC final: Ballymore (Kildare) v Nobber (Meath).